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OLB Cameron Wake gearing up for challenge ahead

This week’s issue of The Sporting News includes a 14-page preview of NFL training camps that kicks off with a feature on Cameron Wake, whose development this season is one of the keys to improving on the Dolphins’ 22nd-ranked defense of a year ago.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the story is a sidebar entitled, “3 Reasons Cameron Wake Will Bust Out This Season,” as offered by Jason Taylor. In his summation, Taylor is quoted as saying, “I think maybe five years from now, maybe one year from now, people in Miami will quickly forget about me and talk about Cameron Wake because I think he has that kind of talent.”

Cameron Wake recorded 5 1/2 sacks last season, and now hopes to make himself into an every-down part of the Dolphins' defense. (C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald)

When we asked first-year linebacker coach Bill Sheridan about Wake at the May mini-camp, he responded, “Cameron can be a dynamic pass rusher. Exceptionally dynamic. We just want to make sure he’s well-rounded and can play on every play, be a quality run stopper and at least an adequate guy in coverage. He has a unique talent; he is an outstanding pass rusher.”

While Wake only had 11 tackles in limited action, half of those (5.5) were sacks, ranking him fourth on the team in that category. He also had one pass defensed and one forced fumble.

Expanding that unique talent into an all-around quality outside linebacker will be Sheridan’s task between the start of camp on July 31 and the season opener at Buffalo on Sept. 12. Wake is determined to get that done and his sculpted 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame is a prototype for the OLB position. But converted defensive ends don’t make that switch easily, and Wake will need all the reps he can get in that six-week window. You can bet Buffalo coach Chan Gailey is already drawing up circle routes to his talented trio of backs (Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and C.J. Spiller) in hopes of getting them one-on-one in space with Wake, Charlie Anderson, Koa Misi or whoever else coordinator Mike Nolan decides to try out there.

We spoke with Wake during the same May mini-camp about the challenge ahead. That interview:

Q: How do you regard you first NFL season last year?
A: I want to play at the highest level, and what I did here wasn’t enough. I want to make more plays, I want to make a bigger impact on the team. There’s a time to work toward that, and this offseason is already started.

Q: How does this OLB unit go forward without Joey Porter and Jason Taylor?
A: We were just talking about those guys, they were a big presence, two captains on the team, and in the same room. Both linebackers. Obviously they’re going to be missed, but we’ve got to suck it up as the linebacking corps of the defense. We’ve got a new coordinator, a new coach, and everybody is obviously raring to go. But we’ve got to make sure we’re (ready) before we step out on the field.

Q: Who’s having that conversation?
A: The players. It’s new but it’s not new. (We’ve got) a lot of the same core guys, we’ve got a new coordinator, a new LB coach, put it all together.

Q: Are you, Quentin (Moses) and Charlie ready to take the reins?
A: If that’s what it has to be, then that’s what it has to be. The three of us sat back last year watching those guys make plays, and anytime either one of them was on the field they made big plays. So taking that stuff from last year, putting it on this year, it should be no big deal.

Q: How much further along are you than you were at this point last year?
A: You know, it’s hard to say. Not only am I my biggest fan, I’m also my biggest critic. I’m always thinking I can get better. I wasn’t satisfied two years ago, or last year. I want more, I want to get better. Come out here the last five, six, seven weeks, working on things you feel like you can put on the field, that’s all you want to do.

Q: What did you feel you needed to improve on during the offseason?
A: Everything. It sounds like a politically correct answer, but it’s the truth. After sitting down at the end of the year with (former defensive coordinator Paul) Pasqualoni or whoever, it’s one of those things where every area of my game I feel like I can improve on. That attitude and work ethic can’t help but make me a better player. Pass rushing, run stoppage, whatever it is. I want to be all-around better, and I think I’ve done that and will continue to do that.

Q: What’s with the Mohawk haircut?
A: It’s a new mentality. A linebacker is a little crazy, a little wild, but they say linebackers are always that kind of guy.

Q: Is it tough to start over with these new coaches?
A: Not really. As we sat down the last couple days looking at the defense, it’s new words, new coach, but overall it’s the same thing. You’ve gotta erase the terminology and some of the plays, but at the end of the day it’s still football. It’s just another guy calling the plays. Coach Nolan is out there, and obviously his body of work speaks for itself. So just getting behind him, all the guys learning what he wants, and going out on the field and making it work.

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